Samsung reportedly set to unveil standalone watchphone soon

Samsung’s recent wrist-based wearables have been dependent on linked handsets to make calls, but its next device may be primed to handle its own business independent of a phone.

That’s according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, which claims that Samsung is nearing the debut of a new smartwatch that runs the Tizen operating system and has its own SIM card and cellular radio, allowing it to make calls, send texts, and use wireless data.

The device is also slated to include a camera, GPS, and heart-rate monitor built into its tiny frame, which means this alternative phone option is likely to be a fair bit more expensive than the company’s previous watch efforts. It will reportedly be announced sometime this summer.

We quite liked the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo after the so-so original Galaxy Gear watch, though the recent Gear Fit underwhelmed. Still the question has to be begged: How many people really want a smartwatch instead of a phone, rather than a watch that nicely complements one?